Daft things you forgot to pack for a foreign holiday please

[pastypirate]

Going to Egypt with my dds at half term. It's 6 years since we have been abroad and tbf I've been diagnosed with severe anxiety (80% better now) since then so expect that's the lens im stuck with.....

It's an all inclusive place with water slides etc.

I'm paranoid I will forget things.

So far on the crucial list is several cossies to make sure they have dry ones, insect spray, paracetamol etc, the waterproof phone pouch thing, sanitary stuff for dd1, rock shoes for the beach.

It's hurgada. I've been to Egypt before but so long ago I feel clueless as to what you can buy and what's extortionate etc.

If you get bunged up (nasally!), don't take a decongestant with pseudoephedrine in - they're illegal in Egypt, although no-one will do much with a single packet. Also, you can't really get tampons there, so make sure you have enough if you use them. Weirdly, I always found it a pain to get packets of tissues there, and they're expensive. (I have allergies, lol.)

A corkscrew.

This is totally not helpful, but my mum packed a whole case of cornflakes one time, and it saved the day. Just a thought 😉

Calpol!

Forgot in France and DV got a temp

For things that generally might not go in until the day of travel, like adaptors, jackets, medical stuff (ie that you might have to use right up til you go), I make a list on my phone and check it off before we leave - especially if it's very early morning. And yes I include things like wallet, passport and boarding passes.

Imodium is useless against Egyptian tummy. Just go straight to your hotel pharmacy and ask for Antinal. Sorts it out in hours.

@thenightsky completely agree, you need the local stuff. I also always pack Dioralyte for Egypt travel and take it religiously whether I'm feeling sick or not. Been 6 or 7 times now and sickness is very much hotel dependant!

These are super helpful and made dd1 and I laugh out load!
I will try hard not to forget my pants! And the dds pants.

Dd2 (10) can be completely trusted to just follow the list I give her. Dd1 (13) is shocking and needs to be supervised. Both packing the bag and placing it in the car and getting it out the other end!!!

Also earplugs. I've had a few frustrating sleepless nights when I've forgotten to pack any earplugs. You never know what noise annoyance you're going to experience on holiday so I always usually pack them

That is sound advice. I have misophonia and I already own loop earplugs

Earplugs essential, Isolate are great. Cuts out hubby’s noisy breathing and snoring!

I always work on the basis that as long as I have tickets, passport and money anything essential to human life that I forget can be purchased.
I’d probably try to remember pants though… 🤣

I would pack some immodium (or maybe not based on other posts), ibuprofen, aloe vera gel for dry/burned skin, antiseptic cream and plasters, maybe some snacks such as pringles, so you have something lighter/familiar for during the day, wet ones hand wipes, pocket tissues, maybe an insulated water bottle to keep with you so you always have cold water, charging cables and relevant adaptors, i always take shampoo and cond as where place use those tiny bottles it's never enough for my hair, also swim shampoo for removing chlorine.

On various hols I’ve forgotten

Hairbrush
toothbrush
all my knickers

also took the wrong sort of plug adaptor by mistake

Packed but couldn’t find until half way through hol
antihistamines, had to rebut at vast expense

Pillow and ear plugs for flight
Snorkel mask for lovely fish!

Pyjamas! That's probably my most commonly forgotten item.

Have a fabulous time.

Thank you so much very lovely mners I have a big list now and anxiety has gone down x

If you are going to Egypt then take plenty of sun cream. We went and had to buy more there- we all burned as it was substandard.

AtmosAtmos · 01/10/2023 19:26
Copy of the prescription for any medication that you must take beyond pain killers and anti sickness

Also a copy if the painkillers are strong - certainly in the Far East they are strict about opiates such as codeine and I believe some countries in the Middle East ban prescribed opiates altogether, though that might have changed.